HW001016

due in 2 weeks

1. Which planet would you expect to exhibit the greatest variation in apparent brightness as seen from Earth?  Which planet would you expect to exhibit the greatest variation in angular diameter?  Explain your answers. 

2. How large is the gravitational force that the Earth and Moon exert upon each other?  How does this compare with that between the Earth and the Sun? 

3. The bright star Antares in the constellation Scorpio (The Scorpion) emits the greatest intensity of radiation at a wavelength of 1210 nm.  What is the surface temperature of the star?  What color does this star appear to us? 

4. Can the Hubble Space Telescope distinguish any features on Pluto?  Justify your answer by calculations.